Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
VIN, [redacted] Buick 2001 Park Avenue dealer: performance Buick - Pontiac 4033 portsmouth blvd chesapeake, va 23321-9249 ph: [phone] e-mail: www.performancebuick.com customer no: [redacted] invoice no.: [redacted] repair: replaced power steering rack, power steering pressure hose and align. Complaint: the automobile, a 2001 Park Avenue, with a mileage of 66,469 miles steering system had to have the repair as listed above. As a Buick owner since 1987, I have never had to have this type of repairs on any of the previous family luxury cars (electra & Park avenues) without been cover under factory warrant. With a total repair price of $1235.23 for labor ($276.00) and parts ($959.23), I need a very clear explanation and/or a refund for such repairs for a Buick Park Avenue with low mileage. …
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 5-10 MPH and making turns the vehicle shuttered in motion and sound. There was also difficulty in steering. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop who determined there was a technical service bulletin which directed that the power steering pressure hose and a power steering return hose to be replace. The repairs were performed by the independent repair shop. The contact was alerted by the independent repair shop that there had been many complaints regarding the same problem with the vehicle and the problem was cause by way the hoses were manufacturer which allowed for the hoses to soften creating an opportunity for wear and tear. The manufacturer was contacted who determined that there was no recall. The manufacturer recommended the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. …
I was driving a Buick Park ave 2000. After stopping at a stop sign I made a right hand turn onto a busy 3 lane city street. When I accelerated and began changing lanes the car lunged a little and continued to accelerate on its own. I tried pressing the brake and it felt like there was a block of wood underneath it. The brake was not working and the car kept accelerating I was approaching a busy intersection and the light was red. I tried down shifting but nothing changed. I kept trying to brake but .it didn't work and the car kept accelerating so as I approached the red light the only thing I could think to do was try making a sharp turn with the cars that were turning headed in the opposite direction I was going. I managed to slice between two cars in the turn but the steering wheel became incredibly stiff and I couldn't negotiate the turn as hoped. …
(1) sudden increase in steering effort. No prior indication of impending failure. (2) momentary loss of vehicle control due to the major increase in steering effort while turning left or right at low speeds, 20 MPH. I'm 81 years old. (3) dealer replaced the steering rack with what I believe to be a rebuilt unit, therefore, I imagine the OEM unit was returned to ?
My wife came home and stated this car was driving wobbly and making a noise.I inspected vehicel and found the following. Vehicle steering rack seperated from cradle..first noticed loud noise when steering rotated lock to lock..visual inspection could see tie rod contacting right side unibody rail...closer inspection found casting or rack housing cracked and seperated from it's mounting point on right side..this allowed steering rack to lift up and bind against right rail or vehicle inner structure...loss of steering and control when attempting to steer vehicle.
Steering consistently vibrates at low speed and parking speeds concern for loss of steering at higher speeds TSB 990232007 NHTSA 608376 repaired by TSB direction on 11-16-2010 because of greater expense of hoses and labor for repair, it should be a recall item.
Driving down the hiway, had just passed a semi; thank goodness it was after that that my driver's side tire blew making the car quite difficult to steer. Took it to Firestone; had to have both front tires replaced and instructed to bring it back the week after for an alignment. At that time I discovered that both new front tires were already ruined due to the cradle/frame assembly which was rusted out. This cost me $863. Yesterday - 08/12/2015 the fuel pressure regulator went out. Upon my investigation I discovered this was a recall issue. I was told it had been fixed.. Altho there wasn't any concrete proof given to me that it had as the dealership I called was not the dealership that said the issue was resolved. Now I have a car that is completely inoperable just weeks after spending $863 to have one issue resolved. …
When turning in either direction, the vehicle shuddered. The dealer replaced the pressure hoses in the power steering. When the vehicle was drive over bumps, there was a noise in the right front tire area. The ash tray lid was inoperative.
NHTSA investigations
Power rack and pinion steering failure
GM conducted a safety recall (NHTSA # 02V286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 Pontiac grand prix vehicles built between March 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, 1996-1998 Pontiac trans sport, Chevrolet lumina apv, Chevrolet venture, Oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and Chevrolet…
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Park Avenue years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (22), 1997 (20), 1998 (12), 2000 (9) and 2001 (9) model years. Steering complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Buick Park Avenue steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for any Buick Park Avenue model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Buick Park Avenue steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist system (21 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist › pump (13).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.